ALBANIA-PORTUGAL SOCCER/PREVIEW Portugal prepare for Euro2016 qualifier against Albania

Record ID: 141719

  • Title: ALBANIA-PORTUGAL SOCCER/PREVIEW Portugal prepare for Euro2016 qualifier against Albania
  • Date: 7th September 2015
  • Summary: TIRANA, ALBANIA (SEPTEMBER 6, 2015) (REUTERS) BUS CARRYING PORTUGAL NATIONAL TEAM ARRIVING AT THE TIRANA STADIUM POLICE/ FANS OF PORTUGAL PLAYERS CHEERING PORTUGAL PLAYERS WALK TO THE STADIUM/ PEPE ARRIVING/ PEOPLE CHEERING ALBANIAN SPECIAL POLICE/ FANS CRISTIANO RONALDO ARRIVES VARIOUS OF ONGOING NEWS CONFERENCE OF THE PORTUGAL TEAM (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) PORTUGAL COACH FERNANDO SANTOS, SAYING: "The most important thing I think is the collective game of Albania. I could name one, two, three names of the players that are very important and dangerous for us but I think the most important for us is the Albanian team as a whole, and as you know I've coached Albanian players throughout my carrier so I know them well, I know their characteristics, they are very strong collectively, they give everything they've got. They are skilled but also they give everything so we need to be ready for that," SANTOS (L) SEATED/ RONALDO TIES UP HIS SNEAKERS PORTUGAL FOOTBALL PLAYERS WARMING UP ON PITCH/RONALDO WARMING UP PORTUGAL TEAM WARMING UP ON PITCH PLAYERS WARMING UP/PORTUGAL COACH FERNANDO SANTOS ON PITCH VARIOUS PORTUGAL PLAYERS ON PITCH PEPE RUNNING
  • Embargoed: 22nd September 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Albania
  • Country: Albania
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA5W9UF735CBV54E4XUC6WZVWEE
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Portuguese coach Fernando Santos , speaking at a news conference on Sunday (September 6) said his players are well-prepared for the impending challenge against Albania on Monday (September 7) and that they will be cautious of Albanian team.
    "The most important thing I think is the collective game of Albania. I could name one, two, three names of the players that are very important and dangerous for us but I think the most important for us is the Albanian team as a whole, and as you know I've coached Albanian players throughout my carrier so I know them well, I know their characteristics, they are very strong collectively, they give everything they've got. They are skilled but also they give everything so we need to be ready for that," Santos told the pre-match news conference held in Tirana.
    Santos told media that the game against Albania and Denmark are crucial for direct qualification of his team.
    Hundreds of Albanian fans awaited for the Ronaldo, Pepe and other Portugal soccer stars to arrive for a warm-up in Tirana stadium.
    Portugal arrive in Albania as Group I leaders and have a game in hand over second place Denmark, who play away to Armenia on Monday evening.
    Fernando Santos' side are on 12 points, one ahead of the Danes and, crucially, one point ahead of Monday's opponents Albania.
    Victory in the match against Albania will consolidate Portugal's grip on the group but will be wary that a defeat could see them slip to third.
    Albania have been the surprise package in Group I and could take a huge step towards qualification by completing the double over Portugal.
    Albania will step up security for the match it said that will use over 1000 policemen who will body search every fan that enters the stadium, local media reported.
    Kick-off is at 2045 cet (1845 gmt) on Monday (September 7) at the Stadium "Elbasan Arena" in Elbasan.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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